Assolas House — Assolas

Two-storey multiperiod house, on W bank of Awbeg River; now functions as guest house and restaurant. Entrance front (NE) of 3 bays topped by gable with chimney; central rectangular door ope with limestone surround; slim sash round-headed window on 1st floor, small central round-headed attic window (see photograph de Breffny and ffolliott 1975, 75). This gable forms part of an earlier core (int.: 7.3m x 5.8m, wall thickness 0.85m) which, according to owner, was built in 1640s. Internal walls lined with 17th- and 18th-century panelling (Bence-Jones 1978, 14). House extended to NW by 2-storey addition, according to owner in 1670s; again extended in 1780s on SE side, providing new entrance front (SE) at right angle to earlier house: 5 bays, random-rubble construction with brick detail, ivy-covered. New entrance front has central 1-bay breakfront with round-headed door ope flanked by large side lights, 1st-floor Wyatt window, oculus in pediment. NE and SW elevations are bow ended and of similar appearance and in balance with bow end at NW end of NE elevation. Bows have hipped roofs with deeply projecting eaves and are of early 19th-century in appearance. Two-storey gabled addition to rear of earlier part of house. Farm buildings to N, 18th- and 19th-century in appearance. Beautiful view to SE from house over impounded river with waterfall (named 'fish pond' on 1842 OS 6-inch map) and Assolas Bridge (14792). The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 4: North Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2000). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009